Iowa Football 2009: New Recruits will join team for 2009 season

The University of Iowa signed 19 players for the recruiting Class of 2009 on Wednesday. Based on national rating services, like Rivals.com, the Hawkeyes class were high on 2 star players. Compared to other Big Ten conference teams, this was not considered a strong class, if you base it in on Star Power.

But, this is Iowa. Iowa football isn't quite heaven, when it comes to elite football programs, but the University of Iowa is a very competitive program in the Big Ten, despite being the smallest public university in enrollment among the ten Big Ten public institutions.

Iowa's head coach Kirk Ferentz enters his 11Th season as a head coach for the Hawkeyes in 2009. Over the past ten seasons, Iowa has played in five January 1St bowl games and two more Alamo Bowl games.

Iowa isn't sexy and this Class of 2009 isn't considered that way by those who observe college football recruiting. But, this appears to be a classic Ferentz class. Over the years, Iowa has found diamonds in the rough at TE. Iowa brings in two for 2009, after all-Big Ten TE Brandon Myers departs after the 9-4, 5-3 in the Big Ten, season in 2008. Iowa returns two solid TEs for 2009, who have solid experience.

Iowa filled needs, especially at RB, WR, TE, O-Line, D-Line and at CB. The player that got away, was at LB, but Iowa's first verbal recruit for the Class of 2010 is a LB prospect, who was named 2008 Gatorade player of the year, as a high school junior. Iowa returns everyone in the two deep at LB for 2009.

I have enjoyed Iowa Football, since 1974, as a ticket holder. Iowa has a lot of work to do between now and kickoff of the 2009 season at Kinnick Stadium on September 5, 2009. But, the future looks bright for the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Hawkeyes finished the 2008 season as a Top 25 program and they should enter 2009 in the Top 25, as well.

On Iowa!

peace